State Tournament Game 2: West Raleigh 10U Blue 9, Winter Park 8

West Raleigh moved into the American League bracket final with a walk-off come-from-behind 9-8 win over host Winter Park on Saturday afternoon.

The game featured two separate 10U Blue rallies; one after trailing 5-3 in the third, and another after trailing 8-7 going into the bottom of the sixth. With West Raleigh batting in the sixth and a runner on first in a one-run game, Ben took a break from the sniper convoy in the dugout to correctly sum up the day’s events: “This is intense.”

The plan for the bottom of the sixth was pretty simple: get him on (Elias walked), get him over (Asher sacrificed), get him in (Banks tied the game, then Gavin won it). It wasn’t very pretty, but it worked.

Despite some uncharacteristic defensive and baserunning lapses and some interesting rule interpretations, West Raleigh stayed in contention with effective pitching (just one walk in six innings) and just enough timely hitting. Five of the nine 10U Blue runs were scored with two outs, and six of the 12 10U Blue hits came with two strikes.

Most of the West Raleigh fans celebrated with a British fist bump, although they did not try to say it three times fast. Sadly, times are tough, and having blown the budget on RV’s and rental ringer players, the remaining 10U Blue funds don’t allow for separate tubs. Hence you get photos like these:

Tomorrow's game will be at 2 p.m. against Deep River, the team 10U faced on Friday. Bring shade, because these ladies don't look like they're sharing:

If anyone shows up without a shirt or suddenly says they don't have a car, here's a hint on what might have happened:

Game 2 WR 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks beat out a one-out single. Gavin walked. Chace launched a two-run double. JT rocketed a two-out RBI single.

Score after one inning: WR 10U Blue 3, Winter Park 0

Third inning

Gavin lined a two-out single and went to second on a wild pitch. Chace singled. Gavin and Chace teamed up to steal home and second, respectively, and then Chace went into third during all the commotion. Brady lined an RBI single.

Score after three innings: WR 10U Blue 5, Winter Park 5

Fourth inning

Asher coaxed a two-out walk. Bryce and Banks smacked back-to-back singles. Gavin drove in a pair with a single.

Score after four innings: WR 10U Blue 7, Winter Park 5

Sixth inning

Elias drew a leadoff walk. Asher sacrificed him to second. Bryce reached on an error and stole second. Banks, surprisingly getting to hit in a potential walk-off situation, tied the game with an RBI single. Gavin went walk-off with an RBI single that scored Bryce.

Score after six innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Winter Park 8




Pitching Performances

Chace started and went two-plus innings, buzzing through the top of the order 1-2-3 in the first.

Banks worked out of a jam with minimal damage in the third, then threw two more strong innings of relief.

Colin cruised through a 1-2-3 sixth against the top of the order.

Game 2 Web Gems

•   Bryce raced in to make a sprawling catch on a soft liner in front of third base in the third.

•   Chace ranged way over by the fence to grab a pop foul for the final out in the top of the sixth.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Winter Park	0	1	4	0	3	0	8	9
WR 10U Blue	3	0	2	2	0	2	9	12